Cuomo Hosts Wine & Beer Summit

10/24/2012 3:48:07 AM

ALBANY, N.Y. — State regulators, Finger Lakes farmers, winermakers, and brewers are heading to Albany today for New York's wine and beer "summit."

The aim of the meeting is to boost wine production and craft brewers, in part to spur job growth. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Farm Bureau will lead the discussion of ways state government can help these old, but small, industries flourish in New York.

According to the governor’s office, there are 321 wineries, six breweries and 75 microbreweries statewide, as well as 58 liquor distilleries and 23 cider producers. In all, they employ about 4,000 people and pay $182 million in annual wages.